Thursday, February 26, 2009

Thankful Thursday

We are thankful for the gorgeous weather yesterday and today. What a nice treat.
We are thankful that we are going to be celebrating Joseph's birthday tomorrow.
We are thankful that Gigi and GranRan and Aunt Juju will be here to celebrate with us.
We are thankful that the sickness that went through our home wasn't all that bad.
We are thankful for our new laundry detergent recipe that is going to save us lots of money :)
We are thankful that we get to see cousin Ashley this week. And that I'm going to be the matron of honor in her wedding in August. YAY!!!
We are thankful that Gigi and GranRan and going to watch the boys for us on Saturday so we can go to a marriage conference. Can't wait!

Hope you all are having an excellent week with lots to be thankful for.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Haircut, Goats, Friends and Family

We're in full birthday preparation mode. Samuel and I have had a blast getting stuff ready for Joseph's birthday. How fun to have a reason to celebrate. We've been praying none of us are sick for Joe's big day. Andy had a bug on Monday and Joseph got it last night. He seems like he's doing okay, but Samuel and I are next in line. Pray we don't get it!

Here are some shots we've taken in the past week or so...

Samuel headed to work. And the 'before' haircut picture.

Samuel's new haircut. Sweet boy is growing up so fast. No more curls. sniff sniff.


We took a last minute trip with Aunt Juju to Williamsburg to see Papa Bear and Oma this past weekend because Daddy was in Lynchburg. Here Samuel is waiting for Aunt Juju to run down the hall and snatch him up. Look at that face. I could just eat him UP! They did this about 239283 times. She's the best Aunt EVER!

Warming his feet by the fire. That rocking chair was Papa Bear's when he was a little boy.

Joseph crawling with a piece of chalk in his hands. We got such a kick out of this!

We got to see some baby goats that were just 4 days old. They were the cutest things ever.


Playing on the floor with Rosemary. They are obsessed with her!

I forgot to add this awhile ago, but Josiah made Valentine's cards for our boys. This was Joseph's because he loves bananas so much.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Cheese and Apples

Our review of Samuel's week long sleepover:

During a trip to the playground one day the boys (Samuel, Josiah and Cameron) decided that they were going to have a secret password that had to be said to enter their little fort under this big turtle at the park. Since that day, Samuel has been going around chanting 'cheese and apples, cheese and apples'. It's the cutest thing. An hour after he was put down to bed one night we heard him in there quietly whispering 'cheese and apples.' I have caught myself numerous times as well chanting the little jingle.

I told you two weeks ago I promised I would do better with pictures. So here goes :)

Tractor stickers from Nana and Poppy for Valentine's day!

Chocolate chips and trucks from Gigi and GranRan!


A new backpack for Bushu from Nana and Poppy too. It's a penguin. Too cute. He wears it around and says he's going to Christian Aid for work. (Andy rides his bike to work and wears a backpack).

On a hike one day we came upon the area where UVa puts all of the leaves it collects from grounds. This mount was enormous. It's hard to tell by the pictures, but it was huge. They played on this pile of leaves forever.

Joseph of course had to get in on the action!

Joseph working on his standing up skills.

The book worms reading their books after we got back from the library.

They all have crocs. Sam thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Playing Animalopoly

Our tree monkeys


There was an enormous hill on our hike and the boys were having a blast running up and running down the hill. Sam was not as brave as they were so he stayed closer to the bottom. Then instead of running down he decided to slide down on his tummy. They were so kind to jump in and join him.


He absolutely loved his time with the Finley boys and simply cannot wait until they come back for a sleep over. Thanks Bill and Cindy for the opportunity to spend time with your kids and for raising such Godly boys. What awesome examples those boys are for our sons to want to become. Such incredible kids.

And for our thankful Thursday tradition we are thankful for awesome friends, a fabulous church family, extremely loving grandparents, and a Lord that meets ALL of our needs! We are so blessed.

Monday, February 16, 2009

6th Folder, 6th Picture

We were tagged to post our 6th picture in our 6th picture folder on our computer. What a cute idea.

And the lucky photo goes to the following. Samuel in August of 2006. He was exactly 4 weeks old. This is the hatchet that Andy made for him when he was born. Since Andy was deployed when Samuel was born, I got these photos done as a surprise and sent them to Andy. These are the only professional shots I have ever gotten of either boys. Great memories.


We are now 2 members short in our household with the Finley boys leaving this afternoon. We miss them lots. Our time together was so wonderful. I will post some photos once I upload them off of our camera.

A house full of children brings joy to my heart. Makes me confident I want more kids. We shall see what God has in store...

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Calm Before the Storm

In a few hours I will be a mother of FOUR BOYS! Our pastor and his wife are going to be 'suffering for Christ' at a conference in Orlando for the next week. They have 6 kids and are spreading them out while they are gone. We are going to be watching their two boys, Josiah (11) and Cameron (10). Samuel and Josiah are the absolute best of friends, which is shocking because of their age difference, but it's true. Samuel has no idea what is about to happen. The boys are homeschooled too, so they will always be here. He is going to be on cloud nine. Maybe they'll get to join in on Bushu :)

I'm updated the blog now for two reasons. I know there are some grandparents that are just dying to see more pictures. And if I don't update now, it will be (at least) a week when I'll be able to find the time to do this again.

So, here are some recent shots...









This past weekend, Joseph and I went to Camp Lejeune, NC (where Andy was stationed with the USMC) to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a friend's baby. We had a great time visiting with all of our old friends from the area. Most have moved on to other locations, but it was great to see the ones who were still around. Here's the quilt I made the baby.


And here are some of the girls back together again. I need shorter friends, huh?

If you think about it, please keep us in your prayers the next 6 days while our guests are here. Check back next week where you'll be sure to hear all about our adventurous week.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thankful Thursday

Sorry no pictures this week. We're all under the weather and trying to keep up with our busy schedule. Even though we're sick, we have lots to be thankful for:

~A new baby was born into our church family this past week and I got to see her today. Nothing sweeter than a newborn.
~Our church community groups just started and we're loving our new friends and our times together.
~Amy and Joseph are going down to NC this weekend for a baby shower.
~Samuel is going to stay home with Daddy to recuperate from being sick and then have a man's weekend.
~We had a great visit with Poppa Bear and Oma on Saturday.
~There's a little snow on the ground.

Will do better next week with pictures, I promise.

The Kids

Lilypie Maternity tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers